How to Tell the Difference Between a Cold and the Flu
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Suffering from the sniffles? Sore throat making your Zoom meetings hard to handle? You’re not alone. Adults in the U.S. average two to three colds a year. Symptoms can be confusing, too, because colds, flu and COVID-19 can look alike.
If you’ve woken up with an itchy throat, a tight chest, or a runny nose, don’t panic. Start by looking closely at your symptoms.
How are COVID-19 symptoms different from cold and flu symptoms?
Let’s start where it matters most. COVID-19 and the flu share many symptoms, and not every case of COVID-19 looks the same. The most common COVID-19 symptoms can be found on the CDC’s website. Flu can also be severe, and you can’t reliably tell these illnesses apart by symptoms alone.
It’s always better to be safe than sorry. If you’re worried you might have COVID-19 or flu, seek a COVID-19 test, especially if you’re at higher risk for severe illness. Stay home and away from others while you’re sick.
What’s the difference between “cold and flu symptoms”?
A cold is a milder respiratory illness. It usually starts gradually with sneezing, a sore throat, a runny nose or congestion. Symptoms usually peak within 2 to 3 days, and colds usually last less than a week. Antibiotics don’t work on colds or flu, because viruses cause them. See a doctor if symptoms last longer than usual, get worse, or you have trouble breathing.
The flu is usually more severe and can lead to pneumonia and other complications. Unlike a cold, flu usually comes on suddenly, often with fever or chills, body aches, headache, cough and fatigue. Vomiting and diarrhea are more common in children.
How is treatment different for a cold vs flu?
Most colds get better at home with rest and fluids. Some people use over-the-counter products like Biovanta, an over-the-counter natural cold medicine, and throat lozenges, but these ease symptoms rather than cure a cold. For flu, call a doctor if you’re at higher risk or feel very sick, since prescription antiviral medicine can treat flu. Get medical care right away for trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, or symptoms that improve and then get worse.
How can I prevent colds and flu?
General health practices are the best defense against the common cold and the flu! Get back to basics.
Wash your hands frequently, and keep up good oral hygiene. The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice a day, though you can also brush your teeth three times a day if you like. Clean hands also keep germs away from your mouth, nose and eyes, which is how many cold and flu viruses get into your body.
Get plenty of rest. Don’t stack up short nights and expect to stay healthy. Adults need 7 or more hours of sleep on a consistent schedule. Get a flu vaccine every year, too. Last but certainly not least, consider your nutrition. You don’t have to give up every snack you love, but vegetables and fruits are packed with vitamins and minerals your body needs.
Sources
- About Common Cold, CDC
- Signs and Symptoms of Flu, CDC
- Healthy Habits: Antibiotic Do's and Don'ts, CDC
- Brushing Your Teeth, American Dental Association (MouthHealthy)
